AMESBURY — Secretary of Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles was impressed as he walked through the orchards of Cider Hill yesterday morning. The biggest working farm in Amesbury has taken many steps over the past years to bring renewable energy to their agricultural business.
"Cider Hill is really a leader in the state," Bowles said. "They are ahead of the pack in terms of using renewable energy and taking advantage of the rebate programs."
Officials from the Department of Agricultural Resources, Environmental Affairs and state Rep. Mike Costello, D-Newburyport, toured Cider Hill to show how renewable energy practices are working and can be integrated into local residents' everyday lives to generate savings on their energy bills.
"Cider Hill is ahead and the best I've seen," Bowles said. "And it's very simple to get benefits now. With the state's new regulations (regarding renewable energy and tax breaks) we want to push the idea and tell people it's a great benefit."
As communities like Newburyport and Newbury mull the potential of wind power for their communities and work to set up rules to govern them, the Cook family, who own and operate the farm, is ahead of the game.
With its three wind turbines, solar panels, composting and now wood-fueled burners, the farm has learned how to sustain itself in the often arduous world of farming.
The first two wind turbines were erected over a year ago to help supply the farm with electricity. Glenn Cook is praising his now three turbines — the third was added last January — as well as the recent addition of solar panels that allow his farm to serve as the leader of renewable energy uses in agriculture statewide.
A portion of the cost to install the turbines was funded by a Massachusetts Technology Collaborative alternative-energy grant.
The solar panels were funded with a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resource's Agricultural Environmental Enhancement Program.
"Governor Deval Patrick has made renewable energy a priority," Bowles said. "He has put in place several tax rebates and hired a full-time person to deal with renewable energy affairs."
Almost a year ago in November, the Cooks installed solar panels on their farm. Those are producing even more now than originally expected — 13,500 kilowatt hours just since November, Cook said. The wind turbines are producing 1,400 kilowatt hours of energy.
"Historically, renewable energy has not been a priority for the state," Bowles said, noting that since the Gov. Patrick was elected, the focus has been shifted toward alternative energy. "It is now more in demand, and it is regulated so you can sell power back. People are concerned about climate change, dependency on foreign oil, and I think people really want to buy local and live sustainable lives."
Costello, who worked to secure grant money for the farm, said examining Cook's successes is a way to bring the effects of renewable energy legislation to the masses.
"This is the micro level," Costello said. "You pass a bill, fund the bill, then you let people know about it and get them to take advantage of it."
Yesterday Cook also demonstrated his latest move to save money on oil heat. Two wood-fired boilers were installed over the summer months and will be fired up today.
The boilers will provide heat for the greenhouses throughout the winter and allow Cook to be able to grow vegetables to sell to local restaurants.
Although the turbines have been set up for a while, the Cooks said they still get phone calls and visits from people wanting to see them or hear more about the farm's plans.
"We are now producing 20 percent of our electricity through renewable energy," Cook said. "We are really embracing green energy and hoping to leave the land better than we found it."
For more than 25 years, Cider Hill has been a staple in Amesbury, growing 55 varieties of apples, pear, peaches, berries, corn and nectarines, to name a few of its products. The farm prides itself in the fact that 80 percent of its revenue is raised through direct farm sales. The farm also participates indirectly with four community-supported agriculture programs and provides produce wholesale to local sources.
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
